So i found these 2 colts in my garage while cleaning it out.

[Hustong]

Im sorry to be that person who post pics and asked hard questions and expects quick easy answers but I posted these pics in another forum and they suggested i come here. They where in a box with several other guns, I know my wife's father purchased them but not when or how. Only info i can find on the percussion cap one is a serial number 20050 i cant find any other markings. The other one has Colt DA 38 on barrel, a list of dates that i think are patents starting with Pat Sept 19 1871???? and a colt image, along with serial number 148190.

 

[therevjay]

Can't tell you anything about the percussion model. The other is a Model 1877 double action often called a "Lighting". Colts first DA made from 1877 till 1909. They were said to be somewhat fragile and hard to work on. Still they were popular enough for a 32 year production run. They were also made in .41 Colt cal (called a Thunderer) and a cal. .32 Colt (very rare)

 

[desi2358]

Your Colt DA 38 would be the "Lightning" first made in 1870's. Your serial number would indicate this one was made in 1903. This was Colt's first double action design and is often found broken as the action wasn't particularly durable, still they sold a lot of them.

The other appears to be a Colt pocket (1849 model) and should have the Colt name and address on the top flat of the barrel if it is a genuine Colt. There are more than a few copies out there though. If genuine an 1849 with that serial would date to 1852.

I cannot get your pictures to enlarge so can't comment any further as to overall condition. Both are quite collectible but condition is the first rule of value, really need to have someone familiar with a older guns give them a hands on examination for that.

 

[gaucho1]

There are many here who are knowledgeable about Colts.

That said.....I would go over to the Colt Forum and they will have ready and
valid info. for you.

 

[Stevens]

Darn. I clean my garage and all I find is dead roaches and gecco droppings.
Steve W

 

[Cyrano]

The lockwork on the DA Lightning appears to be broken; the trigger is in the rear position and hasn't come forward to the double action position.

 

[LVSteve]

Darn. I clean my garage and all I find is dead roaches and gecco droppings.
Steve W

You're lucky. I'd settle for all the roaches being dead.

 

[the ringo kid]

The OPs post--is what I call one heck of a nice find.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Dad took a Lightning apart in the mid 50's to repair it and took 2 weeks to put it back together. You need a padded vise, to hold it butt up and at least two hands to put the parts back together. Aside from dad (he's 81), everyone I knew, that knew how to work on them, is polishing God's collection. Ivan